WINNERS X-RAYS - 7º FICM
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Pedro González-Rubio
Age: 33
Birthplace: Brussels, Belgium
Film: Alamar
Award: Best Mexican Feature
By: Clara Sánchez
Translated by: Carlos Garza
About Alamar:
The title: We all come from the sea, it's a return to our origins. Alamar is about recognizing oneself as part of nature, not seeing oneself as somehow apart, not destroying our surroundings, learning to caress a wave.
The Challenge: I wanted to make a fiction film which stayed rooted in reality, so it turned out as a docu-fiction. It's really a true story with fictional undertones.
Motivation to tell this story: Despite the times we're living in, Alamar is a window of hope, if we can somehow look at ourselves and understand our role in the world, in relation to our loved ones and to Mother Earth.
Experience in Morelia: I've had the chance of speaking with several colleagues who have shared my journey over the last six years such as Eugenio Polgovsky who saw my film and said "Congratulations, brother!" It's incredible to realize we're on the same path, trying to do something for our people and our earth.
Audience reaction in Morelia: Someone in the audience said that "this film shows us that the medium can go beyond what we're used to seeing." I'm very surprised at how surprised they were.
What's next for the film: I'm applying to other festivals and it will be distributed in Europe.
In short:
How do you feel about winning this prize?
I thank Mother Nature for allowing me to recognize that part of myself in you and allowing you to recognize yourself in me. I'm also thankful to the audience who identified with Alamar. It's very satisfying that this was a unanimous decision from the jury and that it coincided with the audience's decision. I'm very glad that both sides shared this vision of who we are and where we're going.
This is the second time you've received an award in Morelia, first for Best Documentary (Toro Negro, 2005), and now for a fiction feature. What does this mean to you?
I'm very happy for this recognition in Morelia. I feel with these two films I've found a balance. Now I'd like to find a story which contains elements of both, which is to say a story about someone who's done something he regrets and who wants to redeem himself.
This story greatly emphasizes the relationship between father and son. Why did you choose to emphasize this bond?
In México we're very used to seeing male relationships as very rough and macho. In this film I wanted to explore tenderness between men, between a grandfather, his son, and his grandson. I think it's very important to delve into this masculine affection we've so left behind in our culture.
Alamar already has distribution in Europe. Do you think this prize will contribute to the film being distributed in Mexico?
I hope so. It's a prize from a very prestigious festival as well as an audience award. I think audiences will relate to the film and its characters.
To find out more go to Alamar.
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